Birmingham City 0, Wigan Athletic 0 - Colin Tattum's big match verdict

Sep 27 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

THERE should be a proud sense of achievement at equalling a club record that has stood for 103 years.

Eighteen home games at the highest level unbeaten – it’s another milestone to go with those from the last couple of seasons.

But on the weekend when Blues made it a year since they were last defeated at St Andrew’s, there were some grumbles as well as messages of congratulation.

A sign of the increased expectations on Blues’ shoulders, certainly.

And a reaction to a performance that never quite got going, even though there were enough half-chances to have secured a victory.

Plus, the obsession with formation reared its head with the simplistic chant of ‘4-4-2’, which albeit was brief and stifled.

Then there was Craig Gardner’s red card – compare and contrast with Hugo Rodallega’s lucky escape – that robs Blues of their most productive midfielder for the next three matches.

And the return of sorts of Charles N’Zogbia to St Andrew’s.

So, in all, quite a day that fuelled plenty of talking points considering it was a goalless draw.

Blues’ fine St Andrew’s sequence has been built on the bedrock of a stout defence and disciplined, reliable players, with a strong collective will and the ability to produce the right moments that make the difference between winning and losing.

Often overlooked in that is their football ability, nous and calmness; there is a method in the football rather than a scatty, hope for the best, approach.

What Alex McLeish has tried to add to that are dashes of extra quality and some legs.

Wigan, who were quick to retreat and worked prodigiously hard, made it difficult for Blues to pick their way through and were always swift and athletic on the counter attack.

They didn’t truly hurt Blues much, though, and when opportunities continued to go begging, Blues got a little bogged down and searched in vain for inspiration as the game went on.

You could see why McLeish wanted N’Zogbia the footballer as he was fairly electric, a constant menace, even if the end product was a letdown.